Educational



K R A L O W EDUCATIONAL APPLIANCE.

Patented Dec. 29, 1891.

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UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WESLEY CLARK, OFSPAR'IANBURG, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELEJOHN w. TAYLOR, AND; SAMUEL 1 GLUNT, or SAME PLACE.

EDUCATIONAL'APPLIANCE.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,296, dated D Application filed February 12, 1891. Serial No. 38 l,195. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 3

Be it known that I, WESLEY CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Spartanburg, in the county of Randolph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usef ul Improvements in Educational Appliances; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the inven-. tion, which will enable others skilled in the art to which. it appertains to make and use the same. v

My invention relates to an improved educational apparatus, its object being to provide a series of blocks with letters and figures marked thereon, and a peculiarly-constructed case adapted to receive and hold the blocks when they are used for spelling words or for demonstrating the fundamental principles of arithmetic.

With these ends in view my invention consists in the peculiar constructionof the various parts and their novel combination, such as shown in the accompanying drawings and more fully set forth in the description, and

designated in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my'improved case with the blocks arranged therein, the case being opened. Fig.

. thereof being markecL'by a numeral.

2 is a longitudinal section of the case with the blocks therein, the case being closed. is a transverse sectional view taken through one side of the case while the blocks are held therein. Fig. '4 is a detail view of oneof the blocks. Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the dividing-strips with the felt secured thereon. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the composing-box designed in some instances to be used in connection with the case. Fig.7 is afront elevation showing the application of the boxes to the case.

Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same. numerals of reference.

In carrying out my invention I employ a suitable numberof rectangular blocks 10, one face of said blocks being marked by a letter of the alphabet, the opposite side or face The blocks are usually stored in a separate box. (Not shown.) When the blocks are to be arranged to spell words or build sentences or perform arithmetical operations, they are placed ecember 29, 1891.

in their properorder within acase-ll, said case consisting of two sections 11, of equal size and depth, hinged together atll Each section 11 is divided into a series of narrow horizontal receptacles or compartments 12 by means of a series of horizontal strips 13, said strips extending from one side of the case to the other,and so arranged with relation to each other that one of the blocks can be inserted within the said receptacles or compartments and slid back and forth therein. 7, In order to bind the blocks tightly yet gently between the strips 13, a thin strip 14, of felt or other yielding material, is secured upon both faces of said strips. The blocks will thus compress the felt toa certain extent and will be securely retained in position thereby, the latter bearing'against the contacting sides of the blocks, as clearly shown.

In Fig. 1 the blocks are shown arranged to vbuild sentences and also to perform a sum in addition. All these operations are shown in the left-hand section of the case, while the supply of blocks are arranged indiscriminately in the right-hand section of the case and from which letters and figures can be selected for use. In like manner the blocks no longer desired can be removed from one section to the other, thus preventing scattering and loss of the blocks. It will be obvious that it is of course immaterial which section is employed for the arrangement of the blocks in their desired order, as either or both sections can be used for this purpose.

- When it is desired to carry the case from place to place, the sections are folded tois suflicient to retain them in place, yet the latter can be readily and easily removed or replaced.

. In lieu of arranging the blocks directly be tween the strips 13, I may employ a removable receptacle or composing-box l5,provided with a loop or handle 15 at one end, said receptacle or box being of a size adapted to fit between the strips 13.

The receptacles or boxes are constructed to receive the blocks in the same manner as they were arranged in the case-that is, with the strips 14 applied to the opposing faces of the receptacle or box instead of to the strips 13; but in this instance the blocks are necessarily smaller.

By means of the composing-boxes and a number of character-blocks distributed in the class each pupil can make his own arrangement of the blocks in the receptacle or box left with him, and when his task is completed the receptacle or box can be inserted in the case by the teacher. By means of the loops or handles 15 the receptacles or boxes can be readily removed from the case.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination, with a receptacle for building-blocks provided upon its opposing faces with a yielding covering, of the blocks adapted to be disposed within said receptacle and retained'therein by said yielding covering, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a case provided with a series of horizontal compartments, of composing-receptacles fitting therein and provided upon their opposing faces with a soft or yielding covering, and blocks adapted to be disposed in said receptacles and held therein by said covering, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with a case provided with aseriesof horizontal compartments, of removable composingweceptacles fitting therein and provided upon their opposing faces With a soft or yielding lining, and blocks having characters, letters, or numbers thereon and adapted to be disposed in said receptacles, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WESLEY CLARK.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. FLEMING, AMBROSE S. RUBEY. 

